ATP500 Barcelona 2024 - NADAL vs DE MINAUR

[Spin Diesel]

Maybe not the most important match to have a thread for but I'm still interested in your opinions.
Even though clay is his worst surface, De Minaur most probably will make this more challenging and physical than Cobolli could. All people might say Nadal destroys him easily but I'm not a 100% sure, because of one reason - if De Minaur manages to make it really physical and extend all rallies, maybe the spaniard doesn't want to risk overplaying in his second match on tour in quite a while. Perhaps not Nadal's mindset but what do you think?

 

[Rosstour]

Gonna go wild and pick ADM in 2

Slow clay blunts weapons--ADM doesn't have weapons. Wash

ADM is younger, moves better. Not the type to really choke and beat himself. If Rafa's movement is bad, could be over fast

 

[ADuck]

Gonna go wild and pick ADM in 2

Slow clay blunts weapons--ADM doesn't have weapons. Wash

ADM is younger, moves better. Not the type to really choke and beat himself. If Rafa's movement is bad, could be over fast

lol. ADM will be destroyed in 2

 

[NaDjoFed]

I am a big Rafa fan, but I think The Demon in two.

 

[Spin Diesel]

Interesting - it's actually not as clear as I thought. I expected everyone to say "It's Nadal on clay in Barcelona - he destroys De Minaur in 2"

 

[Hitman]

If ADM plays as bad as he did against Djokovic in MC, it could get very ugly for him. That second set was one of worst sets played this year with about 7 breaks.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

I think Nadal will fight hard to win a set brilliantly, but ultimately get defeated on stamina/consistency of play.

I doubt Nadal will win in two sets. Cobolli played really badly (unforced errors up the wazoo) against Nadal and still won 5 of 17 games, ADM should be able to take a set off him at least.

 

[Terenigma]

Nothing wrong with Nadal's hitting in the first match but his movement was still a little suspect for me and that's one thing De Minaur does really well. I think this will be straight sets to Alex personally but we'll see how it goes.

 

[Nostradamus]

Maybe not the most important match to have a thread for but I'm still interested in your opinions.
Even though clay is his worst surface, De Minaur most probably will make this more challenging and physical than Cobolli could. All people might say Nadal destroys him easily but I'm not a 100% sure, because of one reason - if De Minaur manages to make it really physical and extend all rallies, maybe the spaniard doesn't want to risk overplaying in his second match on tour in quite a while. Perhaps not Nadal's mindset but what do you think?

if Demon runs rafa around too much and he's maybe risking injury, should he just default?

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

if Demon runs rafa around too much and he's maybe risking injury, should he just default?

Yeah, it's not worth getting injured ever, and this isn't the biggest tournament of the year so that's even more true here. If Nadal is really feeling one of his injuries flaring up a lot, he should retire from the match.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Djokovic took 2 sets to beat small demon. .
Nadal will take 3. But I think Nadal will win.

 

[Spin Diesel]

if Demon runs rafa around too much and he's maybe risking injury, should he just default?

I don't know. At this point with how the last couple of years went for him maybe yes. I guess his main priority will be to show up one more time at Roland Garros and that's where his fans probably want him to see the most.
It surely depends on how the match goes, maybe he could just not give everything on every point but I guess that's just not the way he competes.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Nothing wrong with Nadal's hitting in the first match but his movement was still a little suspect for me and that's one thing De Minaur does really well. I think this will be straight sets to Alex personally but we'll see how it goes.

Demon can run down most balls but this is the god of clay he is going to play. The angles and spins Nadal can hit even on the run is next to no one. So I think demon will have very hard time retrieving these balls.

 

[nolefam_2024]

If Nadal gets his racket on anything, he will put demon in immediate danger.

 

[vive le beau jeu !]

... may the gutsy 'half-bull' trounce the rusty 'full-bull'... enough bs already!

 

[Winners or Errors]

I chose Demon in 3, but he's not always that accurate. He may allow Nadal to play his game without really moving him around that much, which could go very badly for the Demon. I guess that's why they play.

 

[aldeayeah]

Don't think lengthening points is a winning strategy for De Minaur here. He'd get bullied around with little chance to counterpunch.

I think he's going to need to come to the net a lot to finish points. Good passing shot exercise for Rafa.

High chance this becomes a breakfest, too.

 

[BeatlesFan]

I think he's going to need to come to the net a lot to finish points. Good passing shot exercise for Rafa.

Since when does Demon come to the net? He volleys once a match usually and then only to retrieve a drop shot.

 

[Tennisfan339]

De Minaur (as much as I like him) is still very limited on clay. Barring that Barcelona Semifinal against Alcaraz, he never beat anyone on this surface. Last week Djokovic produced his worst match of the week against him in Monte-Carlo (he played much better against Ruud despite the result), and he still won in straight. De Minaur looked awful in this last match. Nadal can win this one even if he's not at his best yet.

 

[Devil_dog]

The guys take the court... Alex looks nervous... Barely draws applause... Rafa gets called out second and gets loud applause (no surprise).

 

[Devil_dog]

Bettors have this match at even odds! Interesting.

 

[nolefam_2024]

I am in Rafa's corner in this match.

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

Nice first point by De Minaur.

 

[Kralingen]

Vamos, and I cannot stress this enough, Bamos Rafa.

 

[Deleted member 758560]

Bettors have this match at even odds! Interesting.

minaur slightly underdog

 

[FrankyRelax]

I moved meetings in order to watch this

 

[Deleted member 758560]

break by minaur

 

[nolefam_2024]

Close the polls

 

[PSNELKE]

I moved meetings in order to watch this

Smart decisions. Might be Ralphs farewell match. He's beyond washed

 

[GodlessEndeavor]

This is not the Rafa from yesterday (except the serves which are the same) .

 

[GabeT]

ADM breaking peak Rafa. Who would have guessed it?

 

[The Blond Blur]

I’m fully expecting this to be a break-fest.

 

[GabeT]

Time for a TTW hot take?

BTW, is it just me or is the ball a lot easier to see than it was in Montecarlo?

 

[FrankyRelax]

I wouldn't dare count Rafa out on clay but this is looking rough

 

[PSNELKE]

I’m fully expecting this to be a break-fest.

Agreed. 6-1 6-0 for ADM

 

[aldeayeah]

Since when does Demon come to the net? He volleys once a match usually and then only to retrieve a drop shot.

Nah he goes to the net an average amount of times. He moves inside the court all the time though.

 

[MeatTornado]

I’m fully expecting this to be a break-fest.

Get the Gif ready

 

[nolefam_2024]

Whats the odds of ADM winning first set

 

[Pmasterfunk]

Time for a TTW hot take?

BTW, is it just me or is the ball a lot easier to see than it was in Montecarlo?

I'm finding it easier to see as well.

 

[RS]

Connection playing up still trying to get the match in good quality. How is it so far?

 

[Hitman]

Not watching today, will follow scores. Main thing is Rafa remains healthy regardless of outcome.

 

[Bubcay]

Get the Gif ready

 

[Deleted member 758560]

Whats the odds of ADM winning first set

1.36 atm when having 40-40, 1.25 with adv. minaur

 

[nolefam_2024]

1.36 atm when having 40-40, 1.25 with adv. minaur

Would be hilarious if Nadal wins like 6-4 or something.

 

[BeatlesFan]

3 drop shot winners already from the Aussie.

 

[Devil_dog]

Demon's tactic is obvious: drop 'em.

 

[GAS]

Old man looks old.

 

[Nadal15thslam]

Rafa not playing that bad but consistency is not there yet.

 

[Bubcay]

Although DeMinaur is an Aussie compatriot I can't stand him, so - Vamos Rafa......

 

[GAS]

Zero chance Carlos Bernardes calls that in